• Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk won the Democratic nomination for re-election.
• Councilman Ed Zucal’s write-in votes keep his campaign alive for November.
• Tuerk plans to engage more voters who didn’t participate in the primary election.

Tuerk Confidently Eyes November Election

Tuerk Positions Himself Strongly for November Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk secured the Democratic nomination for re-election back in May, decisively defeating Councilman Ed Zucal with a commanding margin exceeding 60 points. Such a victory typically heralds an uncontested general election, leading to an assured win in most election years. However, Zucal, who also identifies as a Democrat, managed to gather enough write-in votes among Republican voters, which keeps his bid alive, pushing a November face-off.

Zucal’s Silence Leaves Campaign Open

Zucal’s Campaign Uncertainty As the race heats up, Tuerk conveys optimism about his chances for another term, stating, “I’ve got a pretty good, clear path to victory in November.” Yet, the campaign landscape gets murky with Zucal’s recent silence; he has largely gone radio silent, ignoring multiple outreach attempts from local news outlets over the last couple of weeks. Zucal did declare a form of victory earlier in spring after accumulating close to 500 write-in votes, declaring on social media, “Although we fell short on Tuesday on the Democratic side, we still won. I’m still alive.” But the most notable activity he posted lately seems to be a rather offbeat message promoting a cat for adoption from an animal shelter.

Strategies to Increase Voter Engagement

Tuerk’s Strategy to Mobilize Voters Mayor Tuerk mentioned he’s “heard zero” from Zucal lately and expressed his willingness to gear up his campaign based on his opponent’s enthusiasm, or lack thereof. “If he is not going to run a campaign, then I don’t have to worry too much about him,” Tuerk explained in late June. Focusing his campaign’s momentum, Tuerk plans to shift his efforts into increasing voter turnout, especially among those who skipped the primary, with a clear goal to widen his margin of victory. This year, he won all 50-plus precincts in Allentown’s Democratic primary, pulling nearly 5,000 votes compared to Zucal’s 1,191. In the previous election, Tuerk secured the 2021 Democratic nomination by just 122 votes, underscoring how far his support has grown since then. He hopes to capture a larger voter base during the general election, expressing, “One way or another — with or without Ed Zucal — I can compete against voter apathy.” Tuerk aims to persuade residents that their local government is responsive and working diligently. “We’re asking voters to show up for the city of Allentown, as well,” he emphasized.

In summary, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk is gearing up for the November election with a strong Democratic primary win, while his challenger Ed Zucal’s campaign path remains hazy. Despite Zucal’s initial success in the Republican write-in votes, his inactivity raises questions about his commitment. Tuerk is focused on mobilizing voters and combating apathy as he prepares for the general election, confident in his chances for a secure re-election.